First off, I'd like to say that I'm not the kind of guy who is moved by some pretty face. I don't simply need to see a hot woman and then come to any thoughts like, 'she should be mine' or, 'I'm going to taste that'. I was a guy who was committed. Although I fell in love easily, I was also very loyal to that love. Lydia, Miki, and Celeste were the only women for me. Just the words 'hot girl' would not affect my decisions nor pique my curiosity in the slightest.
Sure, this was a girl whose beauty was supposed to be so great that the Bandit King themselves would come down and ransack a city to have her. Sure, she was supposedly so pure and loved by the town people that not a single person even considered handing her over after receiving the threat of annihilation from said Bandit King. That didn't mean I wanted to see her, know her, or even talk to her. If I never saw this girl in my entire life, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
After explaining this carefully to the girls, they were still looking at me with suspicious looks. "However… we may want to consider asking about her purely as a means of understanding the situation. If we wish to fight for the city, the least I could do is hear the whole story, right?"
"Mm… hmmm…" Celeste crossed her arms while Lydia puffed out her cheeks.
"That's right!" The bartended punched his palm and turned to me, who was whispering quietly with my girls. "I haven't really explained the situation to you yet, have I?"
"No, sir!" I coughed.
I felt a bit of relief that he had managed to swoop in at just the right time and redirect the conversation. The girls' silence seemed more cutting than their words.
"Yes… Master is very curious about her!" Miki declared.
Nope… I was wrong. The words were very sharp. I had forgotten during the silence but it was all coming back to me now. Fortunately, I didn't have to bear it long, because the bartender launched into the story. I found myself wishing there were murals. At least I got pictures in the dungeon. No, that wasn't important, I should listen.
"About a year ago, a woman stopped at the village. Her name is Carmine. She's a healer."
"A healer? You mean, like a Priest?"
"She never mentioned her job, but she seems to have the ability to heal people. Our town has faced a lot of strife over the last year, and she's prevented any casualties and has really been a godsend."
"Really?" My eyes widened immediately.
This girl could possibly be another White Mage! They were supposed to be exceptionally rare, but it seemed like I was already meeting a kindred spirit and I only just started on my journey.
Cheeeeeeee….
Ah… the staring from the girls… I immediately took the interested look off my face. "I mean… yeah… whatever…"
"Anyway, we don't know when she met the Bandit King, but they fell in love with her. You see, the Bandit King has a certain… um… reputation… for enjoying beautiful women. Surely, Carmine is just another in a long line of women they wish to defile.
"At first, they just sent a few bandits in. Tried to snatch her right out of the city! Fortunately, some friends were nearby and were able to protect her. However, they have been getting bolder and more threatening. It looks like you guys came at the wrong time. I am truly sorry that you have been wrapped up in all of this."
The man bowed at the end. I could tell he really meant it. He reminded me of the people from Chalm a bit. Generally good-natured, but at the same time slightly headache-inducing.
"I think I'd like to meet this Carmine," I said, and then coughed. "Just to make sure I'm clear on the whole story."
"Mm… hmm…"